We refer to reports by various news publications on what had transpired during the Liberia House of Representatives hearing on Thursday, April 19, 2018. At the hearing, management representatives from Sime Darby Plantation Liberia (SDPL), a subsidiary of SDP, were summoned to provide clarification on the mistreatment allegedly perpetrated by SDPL’s security officers against a Liberian citizen identified as John Davies, the incident of which was video recorded and spread via social media.

SDP would like to express our regret that the General Manager of SDPL was unable to disclose the details of the video during the course of the hearing as requested by the House of Representatives. SDP views this omission as a serious matter and have issued immediate directives for it to be addressed by SDPL.

SDP would like to assure that SDPL's management team will provide full co-operation to the House of Representative and use every opportunity in the next hearing scheduled on 24 April 2018 to demonstrate this commitment.

As a responsible global company, SDP would like to reiterate our commitment and strict adherence to our Human Rights Charter. Where adverse human rights impacts arising from our business activities are identified, we are committed to mitigating the negative effects and where possible to address and resolve such impacts in a timely manner.